New Severn Trent Pipeline Project Fosters Community Engagement in Nottinghamshire

New Severn Trent pipeline project piques interest from the local community

We are working alongside Severn Trent on a two-year £32 million pipeline project that will boost water supplies for over 180,000 Severn Trent customers in the North Nottinghamshire area.

Tunnel boring machine lowered at Severn Trent Strelley-Redhill pipeline site.

About the Project

Works started in January 2024 and once completed, the new pipeline will provide up to 25 million litres of water per day to  thousands of households.

As we are working in local communities, we have designed and delivered the project with minimal disruption in mind. During the process we used Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) to efficiently and effectively install water pipelines within tunnels underneath main arterial roads and railway lines. The TBMs have played an unexpected role in encouraging further engagement with the local community.

Pupils of Horsendale School visit Strelley-Redhill Severn Trent site.

Nottingham pupils name Tunnel Boring Machine

As part of the project, we engaged with the local primary school, Horsendale School in Nottingham, to take part in drawing and naming the TBM.

The winning name for the TBM was ‘Lynda’, named after one of the pupil’s mathematics Avatar they use in school. Following the competition, the winning children from Horsendale School attended the Severn Trent site for the launch of the TBM ‘Lynda’. During their visit the pupils had the opportunity to see the machine in person, find out how it works and take some pictures with our team.

We relished the opportunity to involve local pupils within this project to inspire interest within the utilities industry and to encourage the next generation of innovative engineers.

Retired engineer pictured with our site managers at Severn Trent Strelley-Redhill site,

Retired engineer enjoys private tour of Severn Trent pipeline site

As part of the project, we also welcomed retired Civil Engineer, Project Manager and Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Mr Eugene Davern, to our Hucknall Lane site. Over the course of his career, Mr Davern has worked on infrastructure projects around the world, as well as projects closer to home across England and Scotland. He was also a member of the Nottingham Society of Engineers where he has used his extensive experience to write publications on engineering.

When work started near his home, the activities naturally piqued the interest of Mr Davern and we invited him to a private tour of the site. During the visit he had the opportunity to chat with Site Manager, Codie Larn, about the project and was given PPE to undertake his tour around the site with Codie and Site Manager, Paul Bryan.

Retired engineer, Mr Davern, pictured during his visit to our Strelley-Redhill Severn Trent site.

Following his tour of the site, Mr Davern said:

“This was an enjoyable and informative site visit that was very much appreciated. I look forward to seeing the site activities returning to Nuthall where I will have a grandstand view!”

At Avove, we are dedicated to fostering engagement within the local communities in which we work. Whether it’s supporting education through partnering with local schools, engaging with members of the public or getting involved in volunteering for good causes, we are committed to making a difference.

You can find out more about the Severn Trent Strelley to Redhill project here.